The sound of the rain crackling against the windows awoke Luna from the first peaceful sleep she’s had in weeks. Ever since she came to Hermione’s she’s been having bad dreams about her father. He wasn’t doing very well; he was getting old, and he couldn’t really walk anymore.

Luna slowly dragged herself out of bed, and walked downstairs to see Hermione drinking her coffee.

Hermione smiled, “hey Luna. Sleep well?”
"For once, yes."

“Do you think it’s because of the rain? I mean it hasn’t rained since you got here, and you had bad dreams when it wasn’t and good ones when it is.”

"Hmmm...I don't know. Maybe." Luna said.

“Yeah,” Hermione said as she took another sip of her coffee. “Hey, Luna, I’m going to see Harry and Ginny today. Do you want to come?”

Luna though for a second. See Harry and Ginny? I haven’t seen them since the last year at Hogwarts. And, I don’t think Ginny even likes me. She probably went with everyone who said I was Loony, but it really isn’t my fault… she thought. “I guess I’ll go. When are we leaving?”

“In an hour, so get ready!” Hermione said standing up.

The trip to the Burrow was quick and painless, but Luna had a feeling when they got there it will become painful. She didn’t want to be made fun of by Ginny behind her back. At school, Luna always stayed strong and didn’t care about what the others thought, but lately she’s been feeling very vulnerable and weak. She didn’t know if she could make it, but she was going to try.

"So," Luna said trying to make conversation, "did you get any letters from you admirer lately?"

“No,” Hermione said, sounding disappointed. “It was only that one letter, and none came after that. It was probably just a sick joke someone played on me to see my reaction and mock me about it for the rest of my life…”

“I doubt that.” Luna said. “Maybe he’s just a very bust man.”

There was another minute or so of silence.

“I’m just glad I was able to get off work to see them. I haven’t seen them for like a year!” Hermione said, changing the subject.

“Yeah, I’m glad I had the day off too. I haven’t seen them since Hogwarts!”

“Wow, that’s a long time!” Hermione said, chuckling.

Luna laughed as well.

“Luna, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Hermione, ask away.”

“Is there anything you would like for your birthday?”

Luna gave Hermione a look. “Hermione, I don’t need anything for my birthday. Having you as a best friend is the best gift I could ever get.”

It was true that Luna’s twenty second birthday was coming up. October 31st to be exact. It was a little more than a month away. Luna was born at 11:56, the evening of the 31st, and the night of a quarter moon.

Luna looked out the window of the carriage. It was pouring rain outside, and Luna never felt so calm. She really had no idea why she was feeling this calm; maybe the sound of the rain drops made her forget.

They reached the burrow in a matter of moments, cutting off Hermione and Luna’s talk about Luna’s birthday, which Luna was happy about.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, Bill, Fleur, Victoire, Molly, and Arthur were waiting at the door for Hermione and Luna. Victoire was two years old, and the cutes thing Luna had ever seen. She had her mother’s lovely blonde hair, and Bill’s eyes. She was a beautiful little girl.

Luna and Hermione stepped out of the carriage and ran over to the burrow door, not wanting to get soaking wet from the rain. Hermione hugged everyone, as did Luna.

“You must be Luna, I’m Bill, and this is my wife Fleur, and my daughter Victoire. The little girl waved at Luna, And she waved back.

“Yes, I’m Luna Lovegood. “ She said and shook Bill and Fleur’s hands.

“Eet’s so nice to meet you.” Fleur said.

“Come on, it’s freezing out here, let’s greet each other in the house.” Molly said, pushing everyone into the house.

“Can you play a game with me?” Victoire asked Luna.

Luna smiled. “Sure, what game should we play?”

“HOUSE!” yelled Victoire, as she ran around the room.

“You have no idea what you just got yourself into, Luna.” A voice came from behind her.

Luna turned around to see Harry walking towards her. She smiled and walked up to him and gave him a hug. “Harry! I missed you!”

He let go of the hug and examined Luna. “Wow, Luna. You’ve changed.”

“Er, thanks?”

Harry chuckled. “It was a compliment.”

“Oh,” she said and giggled.

“So, your birthday’s on Halloween night?” Harry asked after a few moments of awkward silence. Luna could feel Ginny’s rough glare in her direction, and she tried very hard to ignore it.

“Hermione told you?” she asked as they walked towards the long window and looked out of it and not at each other.

“Yeah.” He said.

Luna let out a giggle. “I was born at 11:56 p.m. on October 31st.” she said, trying not to sound too proud, but she must have because Harry gave her a look. “Sorry, did I sound too proud again?”

“No.” Harry said, looking out the window again. “Everyone has to be proud about something about them.”

“Yeah, like you and saving the entire Wizarding World?” she asked, glancing up at him for a moment, but then looking out the window again.

“No, that really isn’t something to be proud of.” He shrugged a little.

Luna gave him a look. “What are you talking about, Harry? You’re so famous, and you killed Voldemort! That is something you should be proud of!”

“I killed him, Luna. Killing isn’t something that would make someone proud of themselves for doing.” Harry said looking down at Luna. She really hasn’t grown since Hogwarts. Maybe a good two inches but that was it. He was a good three inches taller than she was.

“But, you didn’t kill him for the sake of killing him. You killed him not thinking of your needs at all, but thinking of the needs of all the people who he could have killed if it wasn’t for you.” Luna looked around at Molly and Arthur who were playing a board game with Victoire. She then motioned to Bill and Fleur who were cuddling up against the couch in front of the warm fire place. And lastly she looked over to Hermione, Ginny, and Ron who were all catching up on things. “Thanks to you, Harry, they’re all safe now.”

Harry looked down at Luna who was looking up at him with sparkling blue eyes. “You’re right Luna.” Harry sighed. “I guess I just wasn’t thinking about that…”

Luna smiled. “But the next time you think you’re a killer or killing Voldemort, remember how many lives you saved by doing so. And, how many people are now sitting at home with their kids, not having to worry about anything harming them, because of you.”

Harry smiled and looked out the window again, as did Luna. There was a long awkward silence between them.

“Harry!” Ron called from where he was sitting with Ginny and Hermione.

Harry looked at Luna. “Go, he’s your mate.” She said and smiled up at him.

He smiled back at her and walked away towards Ron while Luna looked out the window again.

“What’s up Ron?” Harry asked as he sat with the three of them.

“What were you two talking about?” Ginny asked, suspiciously.

“Nothing.” He said. “We just caught up on things. I haven’t seen her for almost five years.”

“Did she say anything about her birthday?” Hermione whispered, changing the subject.

“Was she supposed to?” Harry asked, confused.

Hermione put her head in her hand shaking her head. After a moment or so she looked up at him. “You were supposed to get her to spill on what she wants for her birthday!” she hissed.

“Mione, I don’t think she wants anything…” Harry said, truthfully.

“Well, I still want this to be one of the best birthdays of her life. Wait a second,” Hermione said after realizing something. “We’ll throw her a surprise party! She told me friends was all she really ever wanted. A party will be perfect!”

“But, Hermione, how are you going to throw a party for Luna if you live with her? She’ll surely find out.” Ron said, leaning back on his hands.

“Good thinking Ron. This is where you three come in. I would like to ask you to get a place ready and the decorations because if I helped she’ll suspect something.” Hermione said.

“Oh, no!” Ginny’s voice was not in a whisper like the others were. “Why do I have to? She’s totally crazy! Why do you think I started calling her Loony?”

Hermione’s eyes looked over at the large window where a shocked Luna stood. Harry shot a glare at Ginny and ran over to Luna after Hermione did.

Luna was just standing there staring at Ginny. She was the one who started the Loony thing? How could she? I thought she was my friend! Luna thought, while tears fogged her vision.

“Luna, are you alright?” Harry and Hermione asked at the exact same time as they approached her.

Luna shook her head and the tears escaped her eyes.

“Luna, will you be alright?” Harry asked, concerned.

“Luna, dear, what happened?” Molly Weasley asked as she ran up to the now sobbing Luna Lovegood.

Luna just looked down at her feet. She wasn’t going to tell Molly what she heard Ginny say about her, then she would really hate her. “I’m fine Mrs. Weasley.” She said as she whipped the salty tears off her face. “I really am. It was just a bad memory…”

Luna really didn’t like lying to people, but she didn’t want to make things worse between her and Ginny. Not as if they were ever good.

“Oh, darling it’s all okay.” Molly said, bringing Luna into a tight hug. Luna saw from the corner of her eye Hermione and Harry giving her weird looks. Molly let go of the hug and let out a sigh. “You and Hermione are welcome to stay for dinner if you like.”

“Thanks Mrs. Weasley, but-“

“We’d love to stay, Molly, thanks.” Hermione interrupted Luna before she could decline.

“Alright, well I better start the cooking!” Molly said and walked off into the kitchen.

“Hermione, I didn’t really want to-“

“Look, Luna, I know you heard what Ginny said, but just forget about it, okay? Pretend like she doesn’t even exist.” Hermione interrupted again.

Luna sighed. “I guess I can try to do that…” she said.

Hermione smiled. “That’s the spirit!”

Harry smiled too.

"I think I’m going to sit outside” Luna said. But before Harry and Hermione could stop her she was already out the door. It was still pouring rain outside, but maybe Luna just needed some time to think. So, Harry and Hermione started their own conversation.

Luna walked away from the Burrow and into the field of grain. She finally reached a small lake and she stopped there. She sat down near it and just sat there for a very long time. It was pouring rain and she was getting soaking wet. Tears ran down her face once more. She wasn’t going to just pretend Ginny didn’t exist! That was impossible now because she had to stay for dinner.

Wait a second, Luna thought to herself, Now that I’m all wet and gross they probably won’t want me back in their house. Maybe, I could just aparate back to our house. I’d tell Hermione of course. Hopefully she’ll come looking for me soon so I can tell her that I really don’t want to be staying for dinner…

Meanwhile, Hermione is starting to get worried about Luna. It’s been almost an hour and she still hasn’t come back yet. Dinner is also almost ready.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered. “I’m going to go look for Luna, if anyone asks tell them I’m going for a walk.” They both looked over at the large window and saw that It was no longer raining, just cloudy.

Harry nodded and Hermione managed to make it out of the Burrow without anyone seeing her. She walked through the wheat fieldsfor a good ten minutes. She finally got up to the little lake and she saw a soaking wet Luna sitting down with her legs in the lake. Hermione started to walk over to her and Luna looked up and smiled a bit.

“Why didn’t you come back?” Hermione asked.

“Because, I can’t forget about Ginny and what she said about me, I’m sorry Hermione, but I just can’t. Can we please go home? I really don’t want to stay here right now…” Luna said as Hermione kneeled down next to her.

“Yeah, we can go home now. It’s been a long day. I’ll just aparate back to the house and tell Mrs. Weasley that we’re tired and have to get up early for work in the morning. Just stay right here and don’t move!” Hermione said, and she aparated out of there.

Luna sighed and looked at the small lake. She wondered why Ginny had never liked her in the first place. She never actually did anything to Ginny. She just plainly didn’t get it.

Two minutes after Luna was done thinking Hermione aparated back to that spot.

“What did Mrs. Weasley say?” Luna asked.

“She said that’s fine and she understands. Ron eats enough for three people anyway.” Hermione said and both girls started laughing.

Luna stood up and held out her arm. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Hermione grabbed Luna’s arm and they landed inside their house. Once they got there it started to thunder again.

“What a trip huh?” Hermione asked as she started making coffee for Luna and herself.

“Tell me about it.” Luna said sitting at the table. She then heard the crackling of the rain on the roof and she inhaled the scent of home and took in the peaceful sound of the rain.

Hermione handed her a coffee and they both drank it in silence, not wanting to go to work the following morning.

A/N: okay, so when I was writing this chapter it kept on raining, so I decided to make it rain in this chapter. Please tell me if you like it or if you don’t like it. Please review it’ll mean so much to me if you did! And, hopefully chapter three comes out soon. Thanks for reading!